Jay Sullivan/Fitness MagazineBy Caroline Hwang

About to throw in the towel? Don't! You may be closer to your goal weight than you think.

When Weight-Loss Wanes
If the meaning of insanity is doing the same thing again and again but always expecting a different outcome, I must be certifiable. Why am I running an hour almost every day, thinking the scale might finally tip to within 10 pounds of my goal? I have this thought each morning while programming (read: punching) my weight into the treadmill console. Though the first 8 pounds came off relatively quickly, and I've been good about eating light and exercising, I am the same lousy weight I was five months ago.

Related: The Best Way to Beat Belly Flab

Is Your Scale Stuck?
Turns out there's a good reason so many of us hit the "final 10" wall. In a word: biology. "All of us have a built-in mechanism that protects against starvation. When caloric intake falls below caloric expenditure, a series of metabolic and physiological responses kick in to preserve and

These munchies satisfy your cravings and offer surprising health benefitsIt's the middle of the afternoon, dinner is hours away, but your stomach is growling. Should you have a snack? Yes, as long as you choose wisely. When done right, snacking can be a key component of a everyone's daily diet, says sports nutritionist Deborah Shulman, Ph.D. "Eating every three or four hours can help control your appetite." It can also provide nutrients you need before and after a workout, says Pamela M. Nisevich Bede, M.S., R.D., a nutrition consultant for Swim, Bike, Run, Eat! But be judicious with your mini-meals. Constant grazing can lead to weight gain; have just one or two snacks a day (each between 150 and 250 calories). Avoid prepackaged junk foods, and stick to whole or minimally processed options, which will not only satisfy your hunger and cravings, but also provide surprising health benefits, too. Here, we provide healthier options for every craving. (If you're trying to shed weight, avoid falling for these Top Weight Loss Myths.)

YOU CRAVE SALT
EAT: POPCORN

Stephen Welstead/LWA/CorbisI have always enjoyed art and being creative, and I wish I had followed that path more closely through school and into college. There were so many signs that I should have followed that path, but I didn't, even though that is ultimately where I have landed because it really was my passion. One of the main reasons I didn't follow that path is because everyone around me had been telling me that I was supposed to be a teacher. I also love working with kids, and I come from a family of practical, service driven people who thought that that meant that I should become a teacher, and so that's the path I followed. Had I pursued my interest in the creative arts, I'm certain I would be further along in my career now. So how do we help our kids find their passion and follow the right path for them?

Read More: 3 Steps to Finding a Passion That Makes You Money

My path to becoming a teacher met an abrupt halt when after doing my student-teaching I realized that while I loved kids, I really didn't

Be prepared for a snow daySnow days can be fun, but only if you're prepared. Do you know what essential supplies you might need to stay safe--and sane? Fay Wolf, professional organizer, joins Easy Does It host Ereka Vetrini to share her tips for getting snow day ready.

Wolf suggests keeping at least a three-day emergency stash for your family. To start, it should consist of about a gallon of water per person per day. She also recommends keeping food that doesn't require heat. "Things like peanut butter and jelly, canned goods, dried fruit, things like that," she says. She also notes that people often forget that it's very important to stock up on toilet paper--like Charmin Ultra Strong.

Related: 10 tips to be prepared for emergencies

In addition, Wolf says that it's important to stock extra batteries and battery-powered electronics in your emergency stash. Plus, she says, you should keep salt or kitty litter on hand to break up ice that may form on walkways. And finally, she says, "Cash in small bills is a

by Joe Donatelli

Sick? Here's what NOT to do!Can't shake that cough? Want to run to the doctor and ask for an antibiotic? Wait it out, says Dr. Mark Ebell. It's not antibiotics that chase away chest colds. It's time.

Dr. Ebell conducted a simple study. The University of Georgia professor asked 500 Georgia residents how long they think a cough lasts. He then compared their answers to data that showed how long a cough actually lasts. The gap was sizable. While respondents said a cough lasts between five and nine days, published research shows an average duration of 17.8 days, ranging from 15.3 to 28.6 days.

Somewhere between day seven and day 17.8, many people head to the doctor for antibiotics they don't need. That's why Dr. Ebell says he commissioned the study.

"We're impatient in this country. We want things hot and now and fast," he says.

RELATED: 13 Banned Ingredients Still Legal in the U.S.

For chest colds, Ebell says antibiotics should be taken by those at the extremes of age-the very young and very

Your home is falling apart...unless you're doing regular maintenance

"From small things, Mama, big things one day come," as the song goes. It's especially true when it comes to your house. Left unchecked, seemingly minor things (a gutter pitched the wrong way, a bit of crumbly grout) can lead to bigger and expensive issues. The good news is that, in many cases, all it takes to head off catastrophe is a little preventive maintenance. "Don't wait until it's an emergency," says This Old House master carpenter Norm Abram. "Spot-check areas around your house, preferably twice a year, in the fall and spring."

Is mold taking over behind your walls?1. YOU'RE ALLOWING MILDEW TO TAKE OVER FOUNDATION WALLS
Potential problem: Overgrown foundation plantings can channel water down exterior walls, leading to mold and sill rot. What's more, roots can work their way into foundation walls and pipes.

Fix it now: Trim shrubs yourself. Better yet, replace them with dwarf varieties that won't be a perpetual pruning headache. In many parts of the country, planting in early fall gives shrubs a head start at

Feeding Toddlers

A picky eater or a toddler that won't eat at all can be frustrating for a parent. You may have read a stack of books or asked fellow parents what they have done, but feeding your child is not a one-size-fits-all process. Here's how to avoid feeding pitfalls and keep your child on track with lifelong healthy eating habits. By: Toby Amidor, MS, RD

Mistake #1: Force Feeding

If you think forcing your toddler to eat a food they don't want is a good idea, think again. You and your little one will end up upset and confused. This tactic will backfire as they will end up disliking both the food and mealtime.

Instead: Don't make a big fuss when the child refuses a food. The less of an issue you make of it now, the less of a fuss you will get the next time. Wait a little bit, and try again with a happy, positive attitude.

Mistake #2: Being a Short-Order Cook

Many parents fall into the trap of being a short-order cook to please a table of picky eaters. Concerns about starving

Source: Healthy Eating Habits That Make Dropping Pounds Easier

As you slowly rid your diet of junk and sweets, you'll notice a change: you actually start craving those healthy foods that you once shunned. And as you start fueling your body with nutrients and noticing how much better you feel, there's a good chance you'll lose weight, too. Here's how your new healthy eating habits are helping you drop pounds.

• Drinking water: Finally decided to swap those Diet Cokes for water? It's a good decision: drinking more water helps keep your skin and other cells healthy and functioning properly, and drinking enough water keeps you from feeling lethargic and fatigued from dehydration. Your new water habit is great for your waistline as well: drinking water helps prevent overeating and helps you debloat.
• Eat more fruits and veggies: Your new weekend's to-do list that includes a trip to the farmers market to stock up on veggies for the week isn't just helping you eat more disease-fighting